IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


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2.5 


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1.4 


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1.6 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23^VE$TMAINSTReeT 

WEBSTCK.N  V.   14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  sa  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Page?  de  couleur 


D 
D 
D 
□ 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restr^ad  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


n 

D 
D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicui^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^es,  tachet^es  ou  piquees 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachees 


D 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


y 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


D 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  in^gale  de  rimpression 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 


Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaive 


V 


n 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  facon  h 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filma  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


y 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


ails 

du 

tdifier 

une 

nage 


Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  has  b««n  rtproducad  thank* 
to  tha  ganaroiity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  aro  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  *ront  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  approprista.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grice  A  la 
giniroslti  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  *tA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  le  nettetA  de  I'exemplaira  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papiar  est  imprimAe  sont  filmts  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —^  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  guuche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  an  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


rrata 
:o 


pelure, 


□ 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1:       : 

a 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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lif 


MR. 


eyyoxt/uvest 
CoUecUorv 


K- 


'  '*'i 


Delivere 


I    The  Comt 
pion  reported 
■Britain  to  an 
lAugust  6th, 
fStony  mourn 

*  Mr.  FC 
inittee  as  i 
Mr.  Ck 
lodgings  1 
progress  o 
qiscussion 
fircumstai 
leady  bea 
by  gentlci 
It  would  I 
>e\v  argui 
tone  so  Ic 
)re  us  ho 
fliis  deba 
fendance 
ttissment 
and  after 
the  highc 
•upon  the 
|in  impen 
Hientous  i 
is  invc 
int  here 
le  humt 
have  bee 
Jeluctanc 
ind  beli< 
that  Stat 

jrycTs 


SPEECH 


OF 


MR.  SOLOMON  J'OOT,  OF  VERMONT, 


ON   THE 


OREGON  QUESTION. 


*  Delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  U.  S.,  February  6, 1846. 

I 

f  The  Committee  of  the  Whole  on  the  state  of  the  Union  having  under  consideration  a  rcsohi- 
tion  reported  by  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs,  entitled  "  A  rosoUifion  of  notice  to  Great 
Britain  to  annul  and  abrogate  the  convention  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  Slates  of 
August  6th,  1827,  relative  to  •  the  country  on  the  northwest  coast  of  America,  westward  of  the 
Stony  mountains,  commonly  called  Oregon" — 

Mr.  FOOT,  of  Vermont,  having  obtained  the  floor,  addressed  the  com- 
mittee as  follows: 

4  Mr.  Chairman:  It  has  been  my  misfortune  to  have  been  confined  at  my 
lodgings  by  severe  indisposition,  for  the  most  part  of  the  time  during  the 
progress  of  this  debate.  I  know  but  little  of  the  character  and  scope  of  the 
discussion,  except  £is  I Jiave  occasionally  glanced  at  the  reports.  Under  these 
circumstances,  1  can  expect  to  do  little  more  than  to  travel  over  a  track  al- 
ready beaten ;  to  say  little  more  than  has  already  been  often  and  better  said 
by  gentlemen  who  have  preceded  me.     Indeed,  under  any  circumstances, 

!t  would  be  little  better  than  arrogant  presumption  in  me  to  essay  to  add  any 
lew  argument,  or  to  give  any  new  interest  to  a  question  after  it  had  under- 
i^one  so  long,  so  elaborate,  and  so  able  a  discussion  as  the  question  now  be- 
fore  us  has  received.  It  was  my  desire  and  my  purpose  in  the  early  pan  of 
fliis  debate  to  have  expressed  my  views  to  the  committee,  had  not  my  at- 
tendance upon  the  House  been  interrupted.  Feeling,  as  I  d(>,  i!»e  embar- 
vlissment  of  addressing  the  committee  at  so  late  a  period  of  the  di&cussion, 
and  after  the  question  under  consideration  has  called  forth  (he  bet .  talent, 
the  highest  eloquence,  the  profoundest  research,  and  the  ripest  ;^x».erience 
.upon  the  floor  of  f his  House,  that  purpose  woui  \  now  be  abandoned  but  for 
|in  imperative  sense  of  obligation  I  feel,  that,  upon  u  question  of  such  mo- 
[nentous  and  vital  consetpjences  to  the  whole  and  every  part  of  our  country 
ii  involved  in  the  resolution  before  us,  the  State,  which  I  in  part  repre- 
int  here,  should  be  heard  upon  it,  even  though  it  be  through  the  voice  of 
le  humblest  of  her  representatives  upon  this  floor.  Much  rather  would  I 
have  been  saved  the  task,  (for  it  is  with  the  most  extreme  and  unalTected 
reluctance  that  1  ever  attempt  to  address  this  House,)  and  that  what  I  trust 
|ind  believe  to  be  the  prevailing  opinions  and  sentiments  of  the  pecple  of 
Ihat  State  upon  this  subject,  should  have  been  expressed  by  either  one  of 

J.  f  G.  B.  Gideon,  prime r«. 


-a.  i, 


MJf^li^-^ 


I-  lumn 


my  more  learned  and  gifted  colleagues.  But  as  it  is,  Mr.  Chairman,  T  must  i},p  p^p, 
beg  the  indulgence  of  the  committee  while  I  venture  to  submit  to  their  con-  j^g  (|jg  p, 
sideration  some  general  views  upon  the  subject  which  has  already  occupied  *^^'f,r  q 
80  much  of  their  attention.  adjustiu 

Allow  me  to  say,  in  the  first  place,  Mr.  Chairman ,  that  I  do  not  propose    ^jjg  ]^^,j^ 
in  the  few  remarks  which  my  recovering  strength  will  enable  me  to  preseni   jntr  fior 
at  the  present  time,  to  go  into  an  examination  of  the  grounds  of  the  respec    opinion 
live  claims  of  Great  Britain  and  the  Unitfid  States  to  the  Oregon  territory  'o^g  ^^.^.^ 
The  time  allotted  me  is  insufficient  at  the  same  time  to  allow  me  to  presem  ♦that  coui 
some  other  views  in  connection  with  this  controversy  between  the  two  Gov   and  wliii 
ernments  as  I  desire  to  do.     Moreover,  the  question  of  title  has  been  ver\  terest  oi 
fully  discussed  both  here  and  elsewhere.     The  result  of  the  best  and  mcs  ^^l  ma<'-ni 
impartial  examination  I  have  been  able  to  give  to  the  subject,  upon  my  owi  '     Mr.^C 
mind  is,  that  both  Governments  have  certain  rights  and  claims  there >  not  that  the  i 
perhap"  very  clearly  defined  ;  that  neither  Government  has  a  clear  or  perfec  out  nalio 
title  to  the  whole  of  the  Oregon  territory  ;  that  neither  can  rightfully  asser  «tand  it  i 
an  exclusive  claim  to  the  whole,  or  extend  its  own  exclusive  jurisdictioi  ^Secretary 
over  the  whole  of  it,  consistently  with  the  rights  and  claims  of  the  other  ji^e  warra 
The  question  of  title  in  controversy  is  peculiarly  of  that  character,  whicl  Hjaj  (j^^.^ 
renders  it  eminently  a  fit  and  proper  subject  for  negotiation  and  compromise  ©fficial  dc 
However  we  may  afFect  to  '•egard  our  title  to  the  whole  of  Oregon  as  clea  ^vhom  is 
and  perfect,  England  is  doubtless  equally  convinced  thai  she  has  the  bette  ^rovf  rsy  u 
title  to  a  part  of  that  territory.     Not  imlike  all  parlies  to  a  controversy;  ^V' ^o,i^p,.yu^j 
v:ery  readily,  and  easily,  and  naturally  satisfy  ourselves  that  we  are  in  ihljiir  by  furt 
right,  that  the  opposing  party  is  in  the  wrong.     The  controversy  in  this  in  ^ibroad    b 
stance,  as  to  the  question  of  right,  as  to  the  question  of  tide,  let  us  bear  ii  lihnself  a" 
mind,  is  not  among  ourselves;  it  is  with  another  party,  with  another  Gov^^'c  so   wli 
eminent,  which  claims  title  against  us  to  a  part  of  this  territory.     This  coii  amicable 
troversy  has  existed  for  more  than  twenty-five  ycjffs.     It  is  a  question  i  the  town , 
conflicting  title  between  two  Governments,  each  urging  and  insisting  that  i  Oonimittt 
has  the  stronger  and  better  claim.    The  arguments  which  have  been  ad  two  since 
dressed  by  each  Government  to  the  other,  through  their  diplomatic  corre?  Honorabh 
pondence,  however  ingenious  and  able  they  may  be,  are  nevertheless  radu  ftad  very 
the  ingenious  and  able  arguments  of  counsel  for  a  client,  than  of  th;^  judg^s-nments 
pronouncing  an  impartial  decision  upon  the  merits  of  the  case.     Thccecoraippv  to 
flicting  claims  have  been  the  subject  of  discussion ,  of  argument,  of  negotia   '  Why, 
tion,  of  mutual  propositions  of  compromise  and  settlement  at  different  pcr^hat  is  (ji 
ods  and  under  different  administrations,  representing  the  views  and  polirBjoes  it  ii 
of  the  two  leading  diverse  political  parlies  in  the  country,  during  this  whol^allenge 
period  of  time.     Both  Governments  have  occupied  the  disputed  territory,  i![^s  our 
the  mean  time,  to  n  certain  extent,  and  for  certain  purposes,  as  they  novHave  the 
occupy  it  by  virtue  of  a  conventional  agreement.  aiiywhen 

The  direct  question  which  is  now  presented  to  us,  and  which  I  undertakj^sed  to  ( 
to  say  is  prematurely  and  inconsiderately  forced  upon  the  consideration  i^ntioii? 
the  popular  branch  of  the  Legislative  Department  is,  whether  Congress  shaifftts  the  s 
direct  that  unconditional  notice  shall  forthwith  be  given  for  the  termination  ffflfendly  r\ 
the  convention  of  1S2T;  and  whether ,  as  a  necessary  resulting  consequence  otlkutiousl'i 
such  notice ,  after  the  abrogation  of  the  treaty ,  we  shal  1  assert  an  exclusive  claiiiri^lntions ,  | 
to  the  whole  of  the  Oregon  territory ,  and  extend  over  the  whole  of  it  our  o\vi#ell  as  tc 
exclusive  sovereignty;  or  whether  we  shall  leave  ttie  controversy  still  open,#|answer, 
it  now  is,  for  further  negotiation  and  compromise.     Whether,  in  short,  i^e;  or, 


i 


in,  T  must    xj,c  popular  language  of  the  advocates  of  cxtremfi  measures,  we  shall  adopt 
their  con-    ^g  jjie  rule  of  our  action,  "the  whole  or  none  of  Oregon,"  "now  or  never," 
occupied    *'war  or  no  war;"  or  whether  we  shall  yet  endeavor  to  efteci  an  amicahle 
adjustment  of  the  controversy,  and  at  the  same  lime  maintain  the  peace  and 
)t  propose    the  honor  of  the  courUry.     The  answer  within  and  without  this  Hall,  judg- 
to  present   j^g  from  recent  indications,  woidd  douhiless  present  some  contrariety  of 
ihe  respec    opinion  jus  to  the  most  expedient  course  of  action,  while  all  will  agree  v    h 
1  territory  'one  accord,  that  the  dictates  of^wisdoni  and  patriotism  alike  commend  us    o 
to  preseni  that  course  of  action  most  consonant  with  the  national  charact*^"'  and  dignii^  , 
I  two  Gov   and  which  shall  hest  subserve  to  vindicate  and  to  maintain  our  ...Uionul  in- 
been  ver\  terest,  our  national  faith,  our  national  honor,  and,  if  you  plt;use,  our  nation- 
it  and  meg  -al  magnanimity. 

)n  my  owi  '  Mr.  Chairman ,  we  have  been  frecjuently  told  that  negotiation  is  at  an  end; 
there,  not  that  the  door  is  closed  against  all  compromise,  and  cannot  be  reopened  with- 
r  or  perfec  \out  national  dishonor.  Sir,  I  do  not  so  understand  it.  I  do  not  so  under- 
fullv  asser  stand  it  from  the  Executive  message.  I  do  not  so  understand  it  from  the 
jurisuiclioi  "tSecretary  of  State.  From  die  very  latest  intelligence  from  England,  we 
f  the  other  jare  warranted  in  saying,  it  is  not  so  understood  by  the  oflicial  authorities  of 
cter,  whicl  ihat  Government.  Who,  indeed,  from  anything  conliiined  in  the  pul)lished 
ompromise  ^official  documents  upon  this  subject,  is  authorized  to  say,  that  diose  to 
Ton  as  clen  ^vhom  is  eopecially  committed  the  charge  of  this  (pieslion  regard  the  con- 
is  the  bettf  "Irovfrsy  as  having  reached  a  point  at  which  the  national  honor  would  be 
roversy,  W' ^compromitted  by  the  consideration  of  further  propositions  of  com  prom  vse, 
e  are  in  tin  !i>r  by  further  efforts  for  an  amicable  settlement  by  negotiation,  at  home  ©r 
y  in  this  in  abroad,  by  treaty  or  by  arbitriment?  No  one,  I  assume  to  say,  would  feel 
jt  us  bear  ii  fciniself  authorized  or  justified  in  niidving  such  a  declaration.  How  can  it 
nother  Gov  T^c  so,  while  England  manifests  every  disposition  on  her  part  to  effect  an 
,  This  coil  amicable  adjusUiient?  Indeed,  we  have  it  not  only  in  flying  rumors  about 
\  question  tthe  town,  but  we  have  the  authoritative  statement  of  the  chairman  of  the 
sisling  that  1  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs,  (Mr.  C.  J.  Ixokhsoll,)  made  but  a  day  or 
ave  been  ad  two  since,  upon  this  floor,  in  answer  to  an  interrogatory  put  to  him  by  my 
mat ic  corre? Honorable  friend  from  Tennessee,  (Mr.  GK.vniy,)  that  a  correspondence 
heless  radu  fjad  very  recently  taken  place  between  the  official  organs  of  the  two  (JuV- 
of  tht^  judg  ^nments  relative  to  this  (juestion.  1  can  say,  for  one,  sir,  that  I  was  very 
These  cor IJlappy  to  hear  it. 
tjOfnegotif  '  Why,  Mr.  Chairman,  let  us  ask  ourselves,  in  all  candor  and  soberness, 
lifferent  pcri^hat  is  this  controversy  about?  What  is  the  nature  and  character  of  it? 
^'s  and  polioljoes  it  involve  any  question  of  honor  that  renders  an  a])peal  to  arms,  or  a 
iig this  wholcJRallenge  to  arms,  or  a  provocation  to  arms,  necessary  to  its  vindication? 
[1  territory, iffEs  our  national  flag  been  insulted  at  home  or  abroad,  by  sea  or  by  land? 
,  as  they  iwHave  the  rights  of  our  citizens  been  anywhere  violated,  or  has  our  soil  been 
anywhere  wrongfully  invaded?  Has  England  done  anything,  or  even  pro- 
1  I  undertakjbbsed  to  do  anything,  incompatible  with  the  stipulations  of  the  joint  con- 
nsideratioinv^ntioii?  Nothing  of  the  kind,  sir.  On  the  contrary,  England  siill  mani- 
/ongress  shaiwts  the  strongest  desire  to  maintain,  and  strengthen,  and  perj)etuate  the 
erminationtroendly  relations  which  subsist  between  us;  and  not  onl}'  so,  but  she  seems 
)nsequence(-ca,utiously  to  avoid  doing  anything  which  wo-dd  be  likely  to  interrupt  those 
KclusiveclaiiTwations,  the  preservation  of  which  is  so  vitaily  important  to  lu'r  interest,  as 
of  it  our  ow"#ell  as  to  our  own.  What,  then,  I  ask  agai  i,  is  diis  controversy  about? 
('Still  open rfi^answer,  that  it  is  nothing  more  nor  less  thru  a  mere  naked  (juestion  of 
r,  in  short,  ii^e;  or,  more  properly  speaking,  it  is  a  mee  question  of  boundary.    Such 


a  controversy  is,  of  all  others,  the  most  appropriate  to  be  settled  by  nego- 
tiation, by  treaty,  or  by  reference.  It  is  a  uispuled  claim  to  a  piece  of  ter- 
ritory, the  evidence  of  title  to  which  is, in  its  very  nature,  somewhat  vague  *fod  of  n 
and  inconclusive,  and  about  which  both  parties  may  honestly  differ  in  re  *iO"  "poi 
gard  to  the  strength  and  validity  of  their  respective  claims.  It  is  a  case  Govern n 
wherein  both  parties  may  relax  somewhat  from  their  extreme  demands,  "^jountry, 
not  only  without  dishonor,  b«it  with  signal  credit,  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  tierritory 
harmony.  The  selilement  of  such  a  question  most  pre-eminently  belongs ^J^  arrogji 
to  the  statesman,  rather  than  to  the  soldier;  to  the  councils  of  the  cabinet  Wiser  ant 
ntther  than  to  the  wager  of  battle.  Sir,  it  would  shock  the  moral  sense  ot*''^  early 
the  civilized  v/orld,  tjiat  the  two  most  enlightened  and  Christian  nations  oi^r^  oftli 
the  eaith  should  fail  to  effect  a  peaceful  and  honorable  settlement  of  such  a  V^^  mam 
controversy,  and  should  involve  themselves  in  a  war  in  consetjucnce,  th(*"""'C( 
end  of  which,  and  the  disasters  of  which,  no  man  can  foresee  or  conceive  JM^^^'fi^^J^li 
But  it  is  urged  as  an  objection  to  negotiation,  or  compromise  in  any  way  pretence, 
that  we  have  a  clear  and  perfect  title  to  the  whole  of  Oregon.  This  decla'^spectlul 
ration  is  often  made,  I  apprehend,  without  much  examination  of  th***'"'^  <^" 
question,  and  with  an  easy  credulity,  which  is  satisfied  without  further  in  i  y^^  "^ 
vestigation,  to  repeat,  as  clear  and  incontestible  facts,  the  unsupported  asser^^'^y  ^f  1 
tions  of  a  political  conclave.  The  stronger  and  clearer,  however,  we  car  JP''''^  ^'^'^ 
make  our  title  to  tlie  whole  of  Oregon  appear,  so  much  the  beUer  anc^^^^  ^  ^l 
safer  case  we  should  have  for  the  decision  of  Jin  impartial  and  cojjipeten  j*^  s"''^" 
tribunal,  if  the  parties  should  not  be  able  to  agree  upon  terms  of  settlement*®"  ^pp* 
between  themselves.  And  surely  there  could  be  little  risk  of  our  rights  iiJ5''opositio 
submitting  the  question  of  our  title  to  such  a  tribunal,  provided  some  oP'omise,  i 
these  gentlemen  will  shed  upon  the  board  some  of  the  light  by  which  the;^^^^  "ow 
learly  see  the  perfection  of  our  title  to  the  whole  of  Oregon.     Gentle*^"  ^^  ^^^ 


so  c 


e^ 


ercise  o 


men  have  said,  by  way  of  illustration,  more  remarkable  for   its  extrava'  .  , 

gance  than  any  analogy  to  the  question  we  are  considering,  that  we  miglifv^ff®''  "^ 
as  well  yield  to  the  demands  of  England  any  portion  of  these   Unitei"^'^®  ^"y 
States,  or  of  this  District,  or  of  the  ground  on  which   this  Capitol  standb*Wer  a  cU 
and  that  we  might  as  well  propose  negotiation ,  or  reference,  in  such  a  case ,  fl^'"^^  '^^' 
in  the  case  of  Oregon,     lean  hardly  think  gentlemen  serious  in   such  ^^J^'^"*^  ' 
comparison,  or  in  supposing  that  there  is  any  analogy,  or  any  approxima^)        '  '^ 
tion  to  analogy ,  in  the  two  cases.     In   the   ca^se  of  Oregon,  we  have  i'^  you  cl 
njeet  an  adverse  claim ,  and  one  which  has  been  asserted  and  insisted  upo:^cet  youl 
as  long,  at  least,  as  we  have  asserted  any  claim;  and  one  which  we  hav^j'"^  '^  ^1 
so  far  respected  as  to  have  made  repeated  propositions  for  a  division  of  lli^^^gland 
territory  in  dispute;  and  so  far  as  to  have  admitted  the  adverse  party  to  ill ■3|^''^'d  laj 
exercise  and  enjoynitnt,  in  common  with  lis,  of  equal  rights  and  privilege *'<j&''^''d  it 
there.     And  this  is  not  all.     England  has  had  actual  occupation  of  this  teilfl  wouldl 
ritory,  or  a  part  of  it,  much  longer,  and  a  much  larger  portion  of  the  tinie^®  wholl 
than  we  have;  and  under  the  convention  of  1818  she  claimed  the  right  (^o  »hei 
settlement  there;  and  in  1827  we  renewed  the  convention  for  an  indefinii^  appeal 
period  of  lime,  with  the  full  knowledge  that  she  claimed  such  right  of  sei'lpi'^ls  anf 
tleraent.     I  will  not  ask  whether,  under  these  circumstances,  we  are  ik5^P""^^I 
estopped  from  asserting,  but  I  will  ask  whether  we   are  quite  justified  i?|*^"&l^ 
asserting,  that  England  has  not  only  no  title,  but  no  co/or  of  title  or  clairW  • 
to  any  portion  of  the  Oregon  territory?     Such  an  assertion,  it  appears  i^O*^*^^*"^'^' 
me,  is  a  direct  and  palpable  contradiction  of  the  concessions  of  this  Goveii 


inent,  by  a  series  of  treaties,  negotiations,  and  propositions,  through  apt 


us  IS  i| 

char; 


21  her  d 
ve  and! 


J  by  nego-  *» 

ece  of  ter- 

^hnt  vogue  '^od  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century;  and   an   unwarrantable  imputa- 

ifler  in  re  *'0"  upon  the  conduct  and  motives  of  three  difTerent  administrations  of  our 

is  a  case  Government,  numbering  many  of  the  ablest  men  and  purest  patriots  of  the 

demands. '<<o""l''y?  "'  proposing  to  surrender  to  Great  Britain  a  large  portion  of  this 

peace  and  %ctrhory  as  a  peace-oflering,  to  whiit  is  now,  for  the  first  time,  asserted  to  be 

lly  belongs  ^"  arrogant  and  groundless  demand.     We  have,  all  at  once,  become  vastly 

he  cabinet  ^^'ser  and  more  patriotic  than  our  fathers.     Considering  the  character  and 

d  sense  ol  f*^*^  *^^^'''y  ^♦^^^' <^^^''c  British  claims — considering  the  grounds  and  the  na- 

1  nations  o;!^'"^  of  the  evidence  upon  which  our  respective  claims  rost — and  considering 

t  of  such  a  ^^^  manner  in  which  her  claims  have  always  been  treated,  the  cOncess^ions 

ucnce    lh(*"^  ^''^  olFers  made — 1  have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  we  shall  find  less 

Jr  conceive  JW^*^'^*^"'*^*"'^  •"  "ow  treating  her  claims  as  a  mere  arrogimt  and  groundless 

n  any  way  jiretence,  than  we  shall  in  meeting  them  and  treating  them  with  serious  and 

This  dccla  "^^P®^^''^^  consideration — so  long,  at  least,  as  she  manifests  a  similar  dispo- 

lion  of  th(^tion  on  her  part. 

t  further  in^j  ^^^  "^  suppose  that  England,  being  as  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  va- 
lorted  asset  "^''y  ^^  '**^'"  ^^^^'^  lo  Oregon — the  whole  of  it,  if  you  please — as  the  Balti- 
ver  we  car4**'^'*^  ^*^'^^'^"'^'"" ''^"J  j^^rt'S'^'d^' Polk  are  of  ours,  should  say  to  us:  "We 
1  beiter  ani§^^^  ^  ^^®*^'' ^"^^  ^'it^ontestible  title  to  the  whole  of  the  Oregon  territory; 
I  cojjipeteny'^  shall,  therefore,  insist  upon  the  whole  of  it;  and  although  we  have 
)f  settlemen^®^'^  negotiating  about  it  for  more  than  twenty-five  years,  and  made  various 
our  rights  jij^fopositions  of  settlement,  and  offered  you  one-half  of  it,  by  way  of  com- 
ided  some  o|M"omise,  and  you  have  occupied  it,  in  common  with  us,  all  this  while,  we 
r  which  thei4^^^^  "ow  close  the  door  upon  you,  and  give  you  ndlice  that,  at  the  expira- 
3n.  Gentle*^®"  of  twelve  months,  you  must  quit  possesjion;  from  that  time  we  shall 
its  extrava*^*^'^'^^  our  own  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  the  whole  of  it;  we  shall  no 
lat  we  migli ^'^^S^''  hsten  to  any  terms  of  compromise;  we  shall  neither  [)ropope  nor  re- 
ihese  Unitei"^*^^  ^"y  ^"■''^''^r  offers  for  negotiation,  nor  will  we  submit  what  we  con- 
mitol  standt''"^^'^  ^  clear  title  in  us  to  the  decision  of  any  disinterested  tribunal;  all  your 
j^jlj^c-jge^a^lttitiis  are  a  mere  pretence,  without  foundation  or  shadow  of  title.  We 
IS  in  such  ^"  ^^^  whole;  we  demand  the  whole;  we  will  iake  nothing  short  of  the 
'  approximaX^ole;  and,  in  so  doing,  we  claim  only  what  rightfully  belongs  to  us;  and 
we  have  t  ^C  yo"  <^hoose  to  go  to  war  with  us  for  taking  only  what  is  our  own ,  we  will 
jfjgjgjjjj  i,po  jtoeet  you  as  best  we  can.  Let  consequences  take  care  of  themselves." 
hich  we  ha\*tjl^'is  is  very  much  after  (he  manner  we  are  now  addressing  ourselves  to 
ngland  upon  this  subject;  and  how,  think  you,  we  should   be  likely  to 

e  should 
d  to  us. 
ion  of  this  lei^^  would  be  met  with  a  universal  response  of  condenmation ,  not  oidy  from 
1  of  the  linif*"^  whole  American  people,  uat  from  every  civilized  government  on  earth. 
»d  the  right  t-^o  alternative  would  be  left  us  but  tame  and  dishonorable  submission,  or 
i-  -m  indetinii^  appeal  to  arms,  and  to  the  God  of  Justice,  in  vindication  of  our  invaded 
h'riffhtof  st'^'^^^  ^"^'  insulted  honor.     Her  tones  of  arrogance  and  insult  would  find  a 

,a   «:«  -trp.  ,u  response  in  the  united  voice  of  an  indiijnant  nation's  scorn   and  defiance. 

iS ,  we  are  ik  j  r  '       .      ■.  •  ...  i       ■        •  i  ■        ■        ■  i 

le  iustified  i  4?  I'^ngland  less  sensitive  m  regard  to  her  rights  and  to   her  lionor  tlian  we 

title  or  claii"^'?  '     Will  she  be  mo;e  likely  than  ourselves  quietly  to   submit  to  acts  of 

it  appears  i'5?^"'^oachinent  upon  her  rights,   or   nhil  sjie  considers   to   be    lier   rights? 

(f  this  Goveri 
through  a  p 


ivision  of  lli ^n»'^'>*^'  upon  tins  suojcct;  antl  now,  think  you,  we  should  be  iii 
e  party  to  tli C'^g^'^'d  language  of  this  character  by  her  to  us?  I  need  not  say  we 
md  privilefft'*i&'"d  '^  '^^^^  ^'^'^^  '^  ''^^  ^'^^'  highest  indignity  which  could  be  olTerei 


his  is  not  the  character  or  spirit  ot  liu    IM.'ish  Government.     That  is  not 
c  character  or  spirit  of  any  civili''.d  goverir.:*  nt  on  earth.     Whatever  act 
her  part,  touching  this  c(^iilioverled  questioi;,  we  shouUI  regard  as  offen- 
ive  and  hostile,  and  as  allordihg  a  just  provocation  and  cause  for  war, 


willjon  our  part,  be  prccipely  so  regarded  by  licr.  Wbo  will  venture  ta  American 
say  we  should  declarcj  war  against  England,  or  consider  it  as  just  cause  for  the  deed  \ 
war,  in  case  she  should  give  us  notice  for  the  abrogation  of  the  joint  con-  ments  in  ( 
vcntion,  and  should  assert  iier  exclusive  sovereignty  over  the  Oregon  terri-  eci  for  the 
tory;  and  yet  that  England  would  not  declare  war  against  us,  nor  consider  fecting  a 
it  just  cause  for  war,  in  case  we  should  do  the  very  same  thing?  Is  it  wise,  vprsy.  "Y 
then,  is  it  patriotic,  is  it  uiagnaninious  on  our  part,  to  address  ourselves  to  l|uve  recei 
England  in  a  lone  and  manner  which,  coming  from  her,  we  should  so  people,  an 
readily  condenm  and  resent;  or  to  do  any  act  which,  if  done  by  her,  we  should  ^jarniony  I 
regard  aa  ollensive  and  belligerent''  Should  we  not,  by  such  a  course  of  npore  c(>a\ 
conduct,  even  in  a  good  cause,  place  ourselves  in  the  wrong  before  ihe  eyes  iJbe  glad  ti 
of  the  civilized  world?  There  is  a  good  old  golden  rule,  as  applicable  to  tuie  the  p 
the  conduct  of  nations  as  of  individuals:  "  Do  unto  others  as  you  would  tie  tlii.s  qu 
that  they  should  do  unto  you."  There  is  an  honor,  a  glory, a  moral  hero-  aisert  our 
ism,  in  acting  uj)on  the  principles  of  this  rule,  which  never  sprang  from  the  Mrho  now 
red  fields  of  blood  and  carnage.  tQat  line  c 

Mr.  Chairman,  believing  as  I  do  that  this  unfortunate  and  protracted  Bpent,  if  n 
controversy  may  yet  be  amicably  adjusted;  believing  as  I  do  that  it  is  the    ,  1  entert 
desire  and  the  e\|)fctation  of  the  great  body  of  the  American  people  that  it  a^ls  prevai 
should  be  so  adjusted,  I  cannot  discharge  what  1  deem  to  be  my  duty  as  a  ah  amicab 
representative  upon  this  floor,  looking  to  the  best  interests  and  the  highest  qtate,  wit! 
welfare  of  the  country ,  without  entering  my  most  earnest  protestations  against  jfessiiig  tli 
every  course  of  action,  and  every  course  of  remark,  which,  in  my  judg- Wid  harnu 
ment,  shall  lend,  in  the  slightest  degree,  to  close  the  door  to  such  an  ad-  bpund  to  L 
jusUneni;  which  shall  tend,  in  the  slightest  degree, to  interrupt  or  embarrass  good  laiih 
negotiation;  and,  above  all,  which  shall  tend  in  any  degree  to  array  the  two  and  auihoi 
Governments  in  hostile  collision  upon  such  a  question.     In  so  doing  I  am  lieve,  also 
sustained  by  the  conscious  assurance  of  the  approval  of  those  for  whom  I  cere  desiri 
am  authorized  here  to  speak  and  to  act.     IIow  could  we  more  efTectually  tion .     To 
close  the  door  to  all  further  negotiation,  and  to  all  hope  of  an  amicable  ad-  4ent  and  J 
justment,  than  to  notify  England  of  our  determination,  after  the  expiration  ppcrisy. 
of  twelve  months,  to  lake  exclusive  possession  of  the  whole  Oregon  territory  ?  ijffion  was 
Will  slie  be  in  a  better  mood  to  negotiate  by  our  infornting  her  that  she  has  Would  be 
n(»  shadow  of  claim  to  any  portion  of  that  territory  ?     Can  we  treat  with  her  Qir.  Kin« 
upon  better  terms,  and  render  an  amicable  settlement  more  probable  and  pfinciple  c 
more  speedy,  by  telling  her  that  she  nmst  (juit  possession  and  abandon  all  c^lidenct 
pretension  of  any  title  there  after  one  year's  notice?     I  confess  it  strikes  mc  yjiil  quite 
very  ditl'erently.     I  am  not,  however,  unwilling  to  vote  for  notice  in  some  a^d  hypo* 
qualified  form,  expressing  our  earnest  desire  si  ill  to  negotiate  a  settlement,  pending  c 
and  giving  assurance  that  it  is  given  with  a  vi6w  to  a  more  certain  and  ainicably 
speedy  adjustment.  tween  the 

However  much  gentlemen  may  be  disposed  to  decry  and  denounce  the  l||ficant  th 
course  of  former  administrations,  in  offering  a  division  of  this  disputed  ter- ^e  to  infe 
ritory  by  the  49th  parallel  of  latitude,  and  however  they  may  denounce  those  OkI  ?  Wi 
who  would  now  acquiesce  in  such  a  division  as  a  fair  and  honorable  settle-  tK/e  rejecli 
ment,  I  trust  the  friends  of  the  present  Administration  will  spare  it  their  de- ifBuperab 
nunciations  for  having  made  the  same  offer,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  jnromise;  I 
pretensions  and  lofty  assertions  of*the  inaugural.  Who  doubts  but  if  that  Motion  of 
offer  had  been  accepted  it  would  have  received  the  apjtiobation  of  the  great  t|iey  cons 
body  of  the  American  people  of  all  parties?  Instead  of  our  ears  being  saluted  tk)n  and 
"vvilh  I  lie  clamor  about  an  ignominious  surrender  of  American  soil,  and  oi 


any  on 


venture  to 
cause  for 
joint  con- 
•goii  tcrri- 
r  consider 
Is  it  wise, 
H'selves  to 
should  so 
we  should 
L  course  of 
e  (he  eyes 
plicuble  (o 
^ou  would 
J  oral  hero- 
g  from  the 

protracted 
at  it  is  the 
>plc  that  it 
r  duty  as  a 
he  highest 
ons  against 


my  judg- 
uch  an  ad- 
embarrass 
ay  the  two 
[loing  I  am 
"or  whom  I 
eflectually 
nicable  ad- 
expiration 
n  territory? 
hat  she  has 
!at  with  her 
obable  and 
ibandon  all 
:  strikes  me 
ce  in  some 
settlement, 
certain  and 

nounce  the 
isputed  ter- 
ounce  those 
rable  settle- 
:  it  their  de- 
he  extreme 
;  but  if  that 
uf  the  great 
[iinsi'  saluti'f' 


American  citizens,  or  of  a  sacrifice  of  national  interests  or  of  national  honor) 
the  deed  would  have  been  hailed  as  one  of  the  proudest  and  noblest  achieve- 
ments in  our  diplomatic  history.  Surpassing  credit  would  have  been  claim- 
od  for  the  wisdom,  and  tact,  and  promptness  of  this  Administration,  in  ef- 
f()}cting  a  peaceful  and  honorable  adjustment  of  this  long  standing  contro- 
versy. Yes,  sir,  had  tiiat  proposition  been  accepted,  3  doubt  not  it  would 
Ijitive  received  the  sanction  of  the  American  Senate  and  of  the  American 
people,  and  been  every  where  hailed  as  the  harbinger  of  al)iding  peace  und 
^rmony  between  the  two  CJoverrnnents.  Even  the  manifesto  of  the  ^alti- 
npore  convention  would  have  l)«:en  forgotten  amidst  the  general  jubilee  at 
the  glad  tidmgs  of  a  result  so  fortunate  and  so  desirable.  And  I  will  ven- 
ture the  prediction  that,  if  the  present  Administration  should  ultimately  set- 
tle this  question  u))on  that  line  of  division,  they  who  now  most  confidently 
aisert  our  title  tu  be  ch.'ar  and  indisputable  to  the  parallel  of  54^^  40  ,  and 
wlio  now  most  vociferously  declare  that  not  one  inch  of  the  territory  short  of 
that  line  can  be  surrendered  without  dishonor  and  disgrace,  will  at  least  be 
spent,  if  not  the  fnst  to  commend  die  act. 

1  entertain  the  opinion,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  if  wise  and  considerate  couu- 
Kels  prevail  on  both  sides,  this  controversy  may  yet  be  brought  to  an  early, 
$p  amicable,  and  satisfactory  arrangement.  The  letter  of  the  Secretary  ojf 
qtate,  withdrawing  the  proposition  which  he  had  made,  coiiduiles  by  ex- 
pressing the  hope  that  such  an  adjustment  may  still  be  etrccled,  and  peace 
and  harmony  between  the  two  Ciovcrnments  still  be  maiiitained.  We  are 
bpund  to  believe  that  this  expression  was  made  honestly,  sincerely,  and  in 
good  taidi.  It  was  made,  too,  oflicially,  and  under  the  immediate  direction 
and  authority  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  We  are  bomul  to  be- 
lieve, also,  that  the  proposition  itself  was  made  in  good  faith, and  with  a  sin- 
cere desire  to  bring  this  controversy  to  an  early  and  an  honorable  termina- 
tion. To  assert  or  to  suppose  otherwise,  would  be  to  impute  to  the  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary  the  lowest  and  grossest  species  of  dissimulation  and  hy- 
Mcrisy.  I  make  no  such  charge.  1  intend  no  such  charge.  Iftliepropo- 
iSj^ion  was  made  with  the  kMowledge,  die  expectation, or  the  hope  that  it 
would  be  rejected,  as  was  intimated  by  the  gentleman  from  New  York, 
(|ttr.  King,)  I  will  leave  it  to  that  gentleman  to  reconcile  the  act  with  any 
j^ncijile  of  proi)riety ,  of  good  faith,  or  of  honorable  conduct.  Small  as  my 
Cfipiidence  may  be  in  the  present  Admini-stration,  my  estimate  of  them  is  not 
y|lt  quite  so  low  as  to  believe  them  capable  of  conduct  so  unworthy,  so  base, 
a^d  hypocritical.  And,  when  they  give  assurance  of  their  desire  that  the 
pending  controversy  between  this  (jlovernment  and  Great  Britain  may  be 
amicably  settled,  and  the  peace  and  harmony  now  so  happily  subsisting  be- 
tween them  may  be  maintained,  I  will  believe  it  to  be  something  more  sig- 
l||ficant  than  the  mere  empty  forms  of  diplomatic  civility.  What,  then,  are 
i|[e  to  infer  from  the  language  of  the  correspondence  to  which  1  have  refer- 
Why,  most  certainly,  that  the  President  and  Secretary  do  not  regard 


rejection  and  wiUidrawal  of  the  olFer  made  by  them  as  presenting  any 
i|Buperable  bjirrier  to  further  negotiation,  or  ixs  precluding  all  hope  of  com- 
promise; but,  on  the  contrary,  that,  they  still  entertain  the  hope  and  expec- 
^tion  of  yet  effecting  an  amicable  and  satisfactory  result,  i  short,  that 
they  consider,  and  are  willing  to  treat  the  qui'stion,  as  still  open  for  negotia 
^n  ami  compromise.  And  I  venture  to  atlirm,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  if  there 


t 


lere 


soil,  and  oi  |p  m\y  one  act  or  recommendation  of  this  now  Administration  which,  more 


than  nny  oilier,  commontls  itself  to  tlie  approval  of  the  American  people,  iibtit  little  ( 

in  the  ort'er  made,  and  the  disposition  thereby  manifested,  in  reference  lo  thi<|lde  or  tlu 

very  ({uestion.    I ,  of  course,  am  to  be  imdcrstood  as  drawing  my  inferences  promise,  f 

in  regard  to  the  views  and  disposition  of  the  Administration  upon  lhi8,;i Hot  to  ho 

upon  other  (picstions  of  national  concern,  from  the  record,  from  their  pabdipim  ant 

lie  acts  and  commimications.     lam  not  in  the  fortunate  jiosition  which  ttrriiory,  ( 

perhaps,  some  other  gentlemen  mpy  occupy,  to  be  in  the  receipt  of  aniBelieving 

of  their  private  or  confidential  comnmnications.     But  1  am  not  at  liberty  t(#on  and  I 

presume  that  they  entertain  any  private  views  or  opinions,  upon  atjy  of  tln^ie  cxhib 

great  questions  of  public  interest, inconsistent  with  those  ollicially  promulllUHMher  v 

gated.     If  I  am  not  deceived,  then,  as  to  the  views  and  disposition  of  th'tf  the  con 

Administration  upon  this  subject,  if  I  do  not  misinterpret  their  language,  owon  and  j 

misunderstand  its  irj)port,I  submit  whether  we  shall  not  best  discharge  our  duti     I  will , 

by  leaving  die  question,  with  its  responsibililies,where  it  properly  belongs,  witiflecessary 

the  administrative  department,  unembuirassed  and  unenrumbered  by  an\ there.     'I 

legislative  direction  or  control.     They  must  understand,  better  than  wecan  jiist  cause 

the  state  of  the  (luestion  in  all  the  stages  of  its  progress.     We  are,  indeed  towards  I 

informed  that  negotiations  have  been  resumed,  and  may  now  be  going  oii%ithout  q 

between  the  authorized  organs  of  the  two  Governments.  We  knownothing^aim  to  ti 

therefore,  of  the  present  condition  of  the  quei-tion.     We  have  called  upoidusive  po 

the  President  to  communicate  to  us  any  correspoiidence  which  may  hav^bject  is 

taken  place, since  the  annual  message,  upon  this  subject.     He  has  not  yet|»e  resolu 

responded  to  that  call.     We  are  left  togrope  in  the  dark.     Hence,  I  repeat^man  fr( 

what  1  have  before  said,  that  this  question  is  prematurely,  and  inconsiderjiosed  to  Ij 

ately,  and,  I  will  add,  most  unwisely,  forced  upon  the  consideration  of  tlii^tenrance 

House.     And,  blindfolded  as  we  are.  you  have  said  that  we  shall  vote  upoitHoritative 

it  in  three  days  from  this  time.    We  are  presenting  to  the  world  the  singula^ify,  almo 

and  extraordinary  spectacle  of  discussing  and  acting  upon  u  question  iiiCjUestion  I 

volving  consequences  no  less  momentous  than  of  peace  and  war,  while  oltwce  cxci 

information  as  to  the  piesent  state  of  that  question  is  withheld  from  us.     jjjltosition  \^ 

is  contrary  to  all  my  views  of  national  propriety  that  we  should  be  legislatin:<fentemph 

at  all  upon  a  question  of  this  character,  while  it  is  a  subject  of  negotiation ^sion  an 

I  say,  then,  let  us  interpose  no  impediment  to  negotiation;  let  us  throw  ti'jP|ole  of 

possible  obstacle  in  the  way  of  an  amicable  settlement,  while  such  a  settle  witain  w 

ment  is  within  the  range  of  the  remotest  probability.     Let  the  question  re^  title  w 

main  untrammelled  in  the  hands  of  those  whom  the  people  have  so  recentliibm   a   t 

appointed  to  the  administrat'on  of  their  public  affairs;  and  in  their  treatmei^ars ;  an 

of  the  subject  we  will  at  least  indulge  the  hope  that  they  will  be  actuated  b  Wte  have 

a  due  regard  to  the  interests,  the  integrity,  and  the  honor  of  the  country l<lto  and  ei 

and  that,  acting  under  a  sense  of  their  obligations  and  responsibilities  to  th«^er  she  ( 

American  people,  they  will  in  due  time,  if  possible,  bring  this  con t rovers; Aat  this 

to  a  fair,  a  just,  and  honorable  termination.     And,  if  they  can  do  so  wilt^t  time 

the  notice,  they  can  certainly  do  so  without  it.     Besides,  by  giving  the  no^olher  n 

tice  with  the  design  and  for  the  purpose  we  have  expressed,  we  at  least  rui^^  suppo 

the  hazard  of  provoking  a  feeling  of  irritation  and  obstinacy,  rather  than; ijPo'Tient. 

spirit  of  good  will  and  conciliation,  so  essential  to  a  peaceful  alid  amicabl'OTlall  do  t 

settlement  of  any  controversy .  ^  taking 

But,  Mr.  Chairman,  if,  upon  the  other  hand,  rash  and  inconsiderat'«ttpe,  tliei 

counsels  prevail  on  either  side,  the  result  must  inevitably  prove  most  unforJjUlemen 

tunate  and  disastrous  to  both.    In  the  present  already  excited  slate  of  feelimje  chanc 

upon  this  subject,  both  in  this  country  and-  in  England,  it  would  requirwe  notice 


! 


m  people,  iibiit  liltlc  of  the  lansyuajTf  of  irrilntion ,  of  mennre,  or  of  defiance,  on  the  one 
rence  to  tliilifle  or  (he  other,  to  urrest  all  cfTorls  at  negotiation,  to  blast  all  hopes  of  conn 
'  inferences  promise,  ami  to  involve  the  two  (iovernnients  in  a  liiHjwtrous  war.  It  is 
I  pon  this,  allot  to  he  presumed  that  either  (rovernment  will  tolerute  in  the  other  the 
I  their  pnb^im  and  cxercis^e  of  exclusivt  jurisdiction  over  the  whole  of  the  Oregon 
ition  whicli  territory,  or  any  act  looking  to  the  exclusive  possession  and  control  of  it. 
ceipt  of  am  Believing  thai  much  will  he  gaineil  by  the  exhibition  of  a  spirit  of  conciliu* 
ut  liberty  tfilon  and  harmony  while  much  will  be  lost,  and  every  thing  hazarded,  by 
1  any  of  tln^e  exhibition  of  an  offensive  gasconading  tone,  I  iu»k,  in  all  earnestness, 
ally  promul  Whether  we  shall  not  i)est  consult  the  interests,  the  honor,  and  the  happiness 
sition  of  til  Itf  the  country,  by  abstaining  from  all  acts,  and  froni  all  language  of  iirita- 
lunguage,  own  and  provocation. 

irgeourdut)     I  will,  most  cheerfully,  give  my  support  to  any  provisions  which  may  be 
)elongs,wili necessary  for  the  protection  of  our  citizens  in  Oregon,  and  those  emigrating 
•red  by  anithere.      These   are    peaceful   and  proper  measures,  and  can   furnish  no 
ban  wecan  jtJst  cause  of  complaint.     But  let  'is  once  assume  an  attitude  of  hostility 
are,  indeed  towards  Mngland;  let  ns  direct  that.  Uie  notice  be  given  forthwith,  and 
be  going  on  Without  fiualification;  let  us  accompany  the  notice  with  an  assertion  of  our 
lownotliing^aim  to  the  whole  of  Oregon,  and  the  assurance  of  our  purpi.      'o  take  ex- 
called  upoi<insive  possession  of  it;  and  let  us  follow  it  up  with  the  declaratii  ;  that  the 
h  may  havlfrbiect  is  no  longer  open  to  negotiation  and  compromise,  as  w<i  let  forth  in 
•■i  has  not  yei|ic  resolution  introduced  in  the  outset  of  ibis  debate  l)y  the  honoi  >ble  gen- 
ice,  I  repeat<ieman  from  Illinois,  (Mr.  1)ouula.*;s,)  let  this  be  done,  (and  it  is  all  pro- 
\  inconsiderj^sed  to  be  done,)  aut'  I  will  venture  my  pooi  opinion  in  opposition  to  any 
ration  of  tlii*i8nrance  or  pledge  to  the  contrary,  let  it  come  from  however  high  and  au- 
all  vole  upoithoriiative  a  source  it  may,  that  war  is  the  certain,  the  inevitable,  I  might 
the  singulii*iiy J  almost  the  necessary  consecpience.      Tho  notice  being  given,  if  the 
question  in cjliestion  be  not  settled  within  one  year,  we  can  do  no  less  than  proceed  to 
ar,  while  altWce  exclusive  occupation  of  the  whole  territory,  or  else  recede  from  the 
from  ns.     Ijptesition  we  had  taken,  with  disgrace  and  ignominy.     No  one,  I  presume, 
be  legislatir:<tentemplates  (he  latter  alternative.     We  shall  proceed,  then,  to  take  pos- 
negotiatioiiitesion  and  control,  and  to  exercise  our  own  exclusive  sovereignty  over  the 
us  throw  1)1  Whole  of  the  Oregon  territory.     Do  gentleinen  really  imagine  that  Oreat 
such  a  settle  Britain  will  peacetibly  and  quietly  yield  to  our  authority;  surrender  all  claim 
J  question  re^  title  which  she  has  hitheno  asserted  and  insisted  ujwn,  and  withdraw 
/e  so  recenti  ^ni   ^  territory  which   she   has   actually  occupied   for   more   than   fifty 
eir  trealmei  Viars;  and  all  (his  without  a  struggle  or  an  effort?     Gentlemen  in  this  de- 
3  actuated  b  o4te  have  dwelt  much  and  loudly  upon  the  rapacity  of  England  for  domin- 
the  country  ifiifi  and  empire, and  upon  the  tenacity  with  which  she  fixes  her  grasp  where- 
bilities  to  tli«^er  she  can  get  hold  of  a  foot  of  territory.      And  shall  we  flatter  ourselves 
s  con f rovers  Aat  this  rapacious,  and  domineering,  and  mighty  nation  will  now,  for  the 
n  do  so  wilifttst  time  in  her  history,  quietly  and  peaceal)ly  yield  to  the  demanda  of 
iving  the  iio^^olher  nation  a  vast  and  valuable  territory  to  which  she  claims  title?    Sir, 
e  at  least  rui^  supposition  is  too  preposterous  to  be  entertained  with  seriousness  a  single 
rather  than:Wbment.     We  may  date  a  war  with  that  power  from  the  day  on  which  we 
lid  amicabl'^sliall  do  the  first  overt  act,  and  take  the  first  step  avowedly  for  the  purpose 
Staking  entire  and  exclusive  possession  of  that  territory.     There  is  no  es- 
inconsiderat'^pfi?  then,  from  this  alternative,  in  case  we  give  the  notice,  except  by  a 
?  most  unfor^ttlt^'i'ient  of  the  t)ncstion  witNin  the  year.     And,  as  I  have  already  said, 
ate  of  feelini'Ae  chances  of  a  settlement,  in  my  judgment,  are  greatly  lessened  by  giving 
rould  requii  *^^  notice  in  the  form  and  manru^-  proposed. 

f 

4 


10 


I  repea 
ensue 
measi 

uld  be 

count  I 
at  we  { 
r  with 
ain  an 
ision  of 
ther  an 
distar 


If,  then,  Mr.  Chairman,  this  Oregon  question  is  to  be  settled  by  a  con 
flict  of  arms.  I  beg  of  these  gentlemen ,  who  would  hurry  us  upon  thi 
fearful  issue,  and  who  seem  almost  impatient  of  the  delay,  to  pause  an 
wait  till  we  are  somewhat  better  prepared  for  it.     Let  us  first  reinforce  ou 
army  and  navy.  Let  us  establish  some  suitable  and  adequate  defences  alono,| 
the  three  or  four  thousand  miles  of  our  exposed  sea-coast,  and  along  th 
other  thousands  of  miles  of  our  unprotected  northern  and  western  frontier 
While  you  are  so  prompt  and  liberal  in  appropiiating  the  public  money  fni 
the  erection  of  blockhouses,  and  stockades,  and  military  posts,  through  th 
trackless  wilds  and  deserts  hither  and  beyond  the  rocky  mountains,  and  t 
send  your  companies  of  mounted  riflemen  there  for  the  protection"  of 
comparatively  small  handful  of  emigrants  to  Oregon,  (measures  which 
approve,  and  for  which  I  shall  vote,)  will  you  not  make  some  adequatt^o^^e .     E 
provision  for  the  protection  of  the  property  and  the  lives  of  twenty  millionjjj|  imiiiei 
of  your  fellow  citizens  at  home?     Sir,  the  mania  for  the  acquisition  antQMj-itory. 
possession  of  foreign  and  distant  lands  seems  almost  to  leadens  to  forget  tha^nce  of 
we  have  a  country  and  a  people  around  us  (o  care  for.       ,  %^^^  bo' 

Mr.  Chairman,  when  and  wherefore  all  this  sudden  excitement  upon  thfj|er  cent 
subject  of  Oregon?     Who  are  they  that  have  become  so  clamorous  all  ajj^ntrv  a 
once  for  the  whole  of  Oregon ,  and  who  would  declare  a  general  war  of  ex|Aains  of 
pulsion  from  the  American  continent  of  every  nation  who  may  chance  t(«es  and 
have  a  foothold  upon  any  part  of  it?     Who  are  they  that  agitate  the  publii^  do,  fn 
mind,  and  appeal  to  the  popular  passions  and  prejudices;  who  denounce  a»] 
treason  against  our  own  Government  all  suggestions  of  negotiation  and  com 
promise,  and  who  would  prefer  the  fearful  alternative  of  war  to  any  treaty 
arrangement?     Who  are  they  that  are  ever  fulminating  their  anathem 
against  Great  Britain,  as  though  they  alone  were  jealous  of  her  power  am 
her  designs?     Who  are  they  that  are  ever  mouthing  their  oft-repeated  profliuman 
fessions  of  sublimated  patriotism,  as  though  it  were  anything  more  than  tlieiBminatec 
frothy  declamation  of  full-grown  demagoguism,  which  evaporates  with  th 
breath  that  utters  it?     Who  are  they  the'  arrogf.te  to  themselves  the  privi 
lege  of  denouncing  the  conduct  and  impugning  I  he  motives  of  the  advocated 
of  negotiation  and  compromise,  and  who  denounce  as  enemies  of  their  owi^ 
country,  and  the  allies  of  a  foreign  power,  those  who  would  avoid  tli 
issues  of  war,  and  who  would  maintain  the  peace  which  now  blesses  om 
land  and  the  world,  by  all  means  and  measures  consistent  with  tiie  integriiu 
and  the  honor  of  the   country?     Whence  comes,  I  ask,  all  this  suddeiej 
storm  of  patriotic  fury,  of  vaunting  arrogance,  of  vindictv(^  denunciatioiijiitain  h\ 
of  empty  and  senseless  gasconade?    Not,  I  undertake  to  say,  from  the  iii'-eirs:  sha 
dustrious,  sober,  and  reflecting  portion  of  the  American  people;  nor  yei^pjt  at  all 
indeed,  from  the  best  friends  and  truest  patriots  of  the  country.     Divest  thurtd  we  si 
subject  of  all  extraneous  and  improper  influences;  remove  from  it  the  iii^iee  to  a 
stigations  and  influences  of  selfisli  and  designing  men,  pf  a  corrupt  ai^' 
hireUng  press;  remove  the  instigations  and  influences  of  jobbers  in  stocki 
and  jobbers  in  politics;  remove  the  instigations  and  influences  of  aspiriit 
demagogues,  of  cuckoo  patriots  and  Tom  Thumb  heroes;  of  President  inal 
kers  and  of  embryo  Presidential  candidates;  of  those  who  would  raise  tlii(^,wou 
whirlwind  that  they  n)ight  ride  upon  the  storm;  of  Uiose  who  would  fire  (lifbt  of  tla- 
city  that  they  might  revel  in  the  plunder  of  its  ruins:.    Do  this,  ar.il  yoii^egou  w 
Oregon  controversy  might  bo  settled,  peaceably,  hoiioiably,  and  forever,  iwng  so  ' 
less  (ban  ninety  days.  ...  ,  trcngdi  ( 


se  at  t 

humil 

rreach( 

re  mint 

n  mill 


must 
Ir.  Chi 
clear 
s  for 
this  re; 
bazar 
in  tore 
ement 
ai 


|s(ion, 
itions 
hn ,  di 
natu 


i 

4 


It 


etl  by  a  con 
IS  upon  th 
o  pause  an 
reinforce  ou 
jfences  alono,| 
1(1  along  tli 


J  repeat,  Mr.  Chairman,  that,  in  my  judgment,  hostilities  must  inevita- 
ensue  between  this  Government  and  Great  Britain,  if  we  cany  out  all 
measures  we  propose  in  relation  to  Oregon.  To  suppose  otherwise, 
u!d  be  to  suppose  (hat  the  mistress  of  the  seas  has  lost  her  pride  and  her 
Wiss;  that  her  spirit  and  her  power  have  departed.  If  we  will  not  stop 
count  the  cost  of  a  war  with  England,  we  may  at  least  ask  ourselves 
tern  frontier|||at  we  shall  be  likely  to  gain  by  it.  We  should  not  gain  Oregon  by  a 
ic  money  foij*r  with  Great  Britain,  most  certainly.  No  sensible  man,  I  think,  can  en- 
,  through  th^ain  an  idea  so  ridiculous  and  absurd,  as  that  we  can  take  and  hold  pos- 
itains,  ana  tiAgjon  of  Oregon  in  the  event  of  a  war  with  the  Enghsh  nation.  We  have 
jtection'  of  !i«ther  army  nor  navy  to  maintain  a  position  at  any  single  point  in  that  vast, 
ures  which  Ijjjj  distant  region.  We  shall  have  occasion  enough  for  all  our  forces  at 
me  adequaltjoiije .  Besides,  it  would  be  utterly  impracticable  to  march  an  army  ihrougli 
enty  million(ji^  immense  and  totally  barren  deserts  which  intervene  between  us  and  that 
quisition  anign-itory.  Every  American  citizen  would  be  driven  from  Oregon,  and  the 
to  forget  thajynee  of  its  boundless  wilderness  and  desolate  plains  would  be  broken  only 

'JKthe  bowlings  of  the  wild  beasts  and  the  wild  huntsmen,  perhaps,  for 
lent  upon  thfAer  centuries  to  come.  I  do  not  fear  that  England  will  conquer  thi.* 
norous  all  aj^ntry  any  more  than  we  shall  bo  able  to  concjuer  England.  Nobody 
al  war  of  ex(|i|panis  of  this.  But  she  can  destroy  our  commerce;  she  can  lay  waste  our 
ay  chance  Uitjes  and  villages;  and  she  can  drive  us,  and  will  drive  us,  in  spite  of  all  we 
ite  the  publiiili  do,  from  Oregon.  Gentlemen  may  affect  to  sneer  and  scout  as  thejr 
)  denounce  a»Sase  at  the  idea  of  negotiation,  as  though  there  were  something  submissive 
ion  and  coniffl  humiliating  in  it,  or  as  though  thev  feared  our  diplomatists  would  be 
to  any  treatj^rreached  by  the  superior  tact  and  skill  of  those  upon  the  other  side.  Let 
;ir  anathemaiil  remind  them,  that  when  they  shall  have  provoked  an  unnecessary  war, 
iv  power  aii((^Ken  millions  of  treasure  shall  have  been  expended,  and  an  untold  amount 
repeated  prof  jhuinan  life  been  sacrificed,  and  Oregon  lost,  that  very  war  must  be  finally 
more  than  tlieijninated  by  negotiation,  by  treaty;  and  Oregon  itself,  if  it  be  restored  at 
rates  with  thl|   must  be  restored  at  last  by  nejroliation. 

^es  the  privr^Ir.  Chairman,  I  am  as  decidedly  in  favor  of  Oregon,  to  the  extent  of 
the  advocalctii^  clear  and  just  rights  there,  as  those  who  urge  the  most  extreme  niea- 
s  of  their  owiilfes  for  our  immediate  and  exclusive  possession  of  the  whole  of  it.  It  is 
jld  avoid  tliqitbis  reason  that  I  am  opposed  to  any  measure  which,  in  my  judgment, 
vv  blesses  oinrul  hazard  a  peaceful  seUlement  of  the  controversy,  and  throw  our  rights 
1  liie  integriiiiy  interests  there  upon  the  issues  of  war.  But  suppose  that  all  efforts  at  a 
1  this  suddeienlement  of  these  contiicting  claims  between  this  Government  and  Great 
denunciatioii^nlain  fail,  and  things  remain  as  lliey  have  for  the  last  *- •  n(y  or  thirty 
,  from  the  ii/e|ijrs:  shall  we  lose  anything  by  it?  Have  we  lost  anything  by  it  thus  far? 
)ple;  nor  yei^ql  at  all,  sir.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  wo  have  been  the  gainers  by  it, 
.  Divest  tliiirtd  we  should  continue  to  be  the  gainers  by  it,  if  demagogues  would  but 
Vom  it  the  iii;«|ee  to  agitate  (he  questi<  a  for  political  and  sinister  purposes.  Let  this 
I  corrupt  aiit»stion,  affecting  our  foreign  relations,  remain  as  it  did  during  the  admin- 
3ers  ill  stockdBitioiis  of  Mr.  Monroe  and  Mr.  Adams,  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  Mr.  Van 
;es  of  aspiriiili^en,  disconnected  with  our  domestic  strifes,  and  it  will  be  well  enough. 
President  inaPKe  natural  progress  of  events,  the  steady  and  increasing  flow  of  eniigra- 
3uld  raise  lliibii,  would  ultimately  and  surely  secure  to  us  the  sole  possession  and  con- 
would  fire  tlirbl  of  tliat  country.  In  that  sense,  and  in  (hat  way,  I  will  agree  that 
his,  ar.d  yoii>egon  will  be  o"rs  by  (he  '^deoees  of  destiny."  While  we  have  been 
iiid  forever,  ilwng  so  well ,  then;  while,  with  every  passing  year,  we  have  been  adding 

trcngth  (0  our  claims  and  potjessions  there ;  let  us  not  hazard  every  thing 


—-"''"■  I'll  nmyiLn.- 


12 


hly  as 

,  politic 

uent  g 

nt  wIj 

ific  she 


by  the  adoption  of  hasty  and  hostile  measures.     It  would  be  the  extie 
of  folly  to  cast  upon  a  doubtful  issue  the  acquisition  of  that  which  the  sili 
and  natural  course  of  things  must  inevitably  give  to  us.     It  is  not  to  be  di 
guised,  however,  that  the  question  has  been  involved  in  difficulty  and  daj^Q^gj^j-. 
ger,  and  wholly  in  consequence  of  having  mixed  it  up  with  the  parly  cc, 
tentions  of  the  day,  and  in  consecjuence  of  that  swaggering  declaration 
the  world ,  that  ''our  title  to  the  whole. of  Oregon  was  clear  and  unqu 
tionable,"  after  our  repeated  concessions  of  the  rights  and  claims  of  Engln 
by  our  own  solemn  official  acts.     Can  any  better  or  truer  reason  be  assign 
for  the  present  vexed  position  of  this  Oregon  question,  than  that  it  has 
suited  mainly  from  an  unworthy  disposition  to  throw  every  great  qiiesti 


fierce 
e,  and 
ining 
he  qut 

consii 
allel  sli 
entireh 


question  of  public  interest?     There,  too,  I  venture  to  affirm,  lies  the  reas^^  we  hj 

and  rhe  motive  for  springing  this  question  upon  the  public  attention  at  t^umbia 

present  time.     Texas  has  made  one  President  for  us,  and  it  seems  to  be  (K^portioi 

termined  that  Oregon  shall  make  one  or  two  more  for  us:  and  it  is  presuni»  ym| 

that  he  who  gels  the  first  start  upon  it  will  be  the  favorite  of  the  people.  Sj^  be 

put  the  question  to  the  House  and  to  the  country,  whether  this  whole  OMy  theii 

gon  excitement,  which  has  been  got  up  of  late,  is  anything  more  than^  jq  wh 

preliminary  scramble  for  the  Presidential  succession.     Hence  we  have  r>'^e  (he 

tests  of  moral  and  political  worth;  new  tests  of  one's  attachment  or  indifl^  B^tisl 

€nce,  his  love  or  his  coldness,  towards  his  country;  and  new  tests  of  polilA.  an^j 

orthodoxy.     He  who  now  clamors  loudest  for  the  whole  of  Oregon  is  t||^  Govei 

best  patriot;    while  he  who  halts  or  doubLs  is  a  traitor,  a}'e,  a  "Briti^^yid  ^ey 

Whig."     He  who  most  ostentatiously  vaunts  his  courage  is  the  brav^jj  {\^q  Jj, 

man,  while  he  who  has  too  much  modesty  and  common  sense  to  act  i{Milrovers 

bravado,  lacks  in  spirit,  and  is  a  parasite  and  a  coward.  ^^e  promi: 

I  am  free  to  admit,  that  I  consider  the  question  now  before  the  Hoi  ■'Jt  is  the 

out  of  time,  out  of  place,  and  out  of  order.     However  expedient  it  mii^ja  peaci 

be  to  give  the  notice;  legitimately  and  constitutionally,  we  have  nothingi^ye  then 

do  with  it.     It  is  a  prerogative  which  properly  and  legitimately  belongs  j^l  foolh; 

the  Executive  department  of  the  Government.     This  House  is  not  coni 

tuted  an  advisory  council  to  the  President.     Such  advisory  power,  if  I  n| 

so  call  it,  belongs  to  the  Senate,  as  a  co-ordinate  branch  of  the  Executij 

department  in  the  treaty-making  power.     It  could  not  have  been  contcii^ 

plated  in  the  treaty  that  any  legislative  action  would  be  required ,  in  ordeiin jaatioui 

invest  the  President  with  authority  to  give  the  notice,  whenever,  in  pTrit  of  v 

judgment,  the  public  interest  should  require  the  abrogation  of  the  convtt  is  a  sp 

4ion.  >I^d,an 

'    I  agree  with  gentlemen  that  this  Oregon  question  is  one  of  national  ^'(^ons,  ii 

racter  and  interest;  that  it  should  be  considered  and  discussed,  when  con>,|^of  bei 

ered  and  discussed  at  all,  in  a  liberal  and  national  spirit.     F'or  this  reas^Sit  thet 

it  is  a  matter  of  regret,  as  it  was  an  act  of  folly,  that  the  attempt  was  t^iqfeyet  dt 

made  to  adopt  it  as  the  peculiar  creed,  and  to  identify  it  with  the  action  ^^  rapir 

either  of  the  political  parties  of  the  country.     And  whoever  would  be  oigachings 

trolled  or  influenced  in  his  action  upon  it  by  any  narrow, sectional,  or  p^ti0  a  kir 

san  considerations,  would  prove  hiniself  recreant  to  his  obligations  as  Wojjin  f| 

American  statesman,  as  an  American  citizen.     I  believe  I  appreciate 


13 


hly  as  any  gentleman  the  importance  of  that  country  to  us  in  a  commer- 
J,  political,  and  national  point  of  view;  I  believe,  with  the  learned  and 
)e  the  sxtreijqygjj^  gentleman  from  Alabama,  (Mr.  Hilliard,)  that  the  day  is  not  far 
yhich  the  sileM^p^  when  a  railroad  will  span  this  continent,  uniting  the  Atlantic  and 
IS  not  to  be  d^jgg  g^jores,  and  which  will  thenceforward  become  the  great  highway  and 
iculty  and  dajpfQ^gi^f^fg  gf  the  commercial  world.  If  I  differ  at  all  with  the  loudest 
the  party  cc-pj  fiercest  champion  of  Oregon,  it  is  only  as  to  the  extent  of  our  title 
;  declaration  j|fg^  ^jjj  gg  ^^  ^\^q  l^ggj  j^j^j  surest  niode  of  ultimately,  if  not  inimediaately, 
ir  and  unqufjyjjj„ijjg  exclusive  possession  and  control  of  what  rightfully  belongs  to  us. 
uns  of  hingln|r,i^j^g  question  of  title  or  boundary  should  finally  be  settled  by  negotiation 
son  be  ass1gn^g^  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished  by  all  good  patriots — and  the  49th 
that  It  has  yyrallel  should  be  fixed  upon  as  the  line  of  division,  I  doubt  not  it  would 

great  questi^j^  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  American  people .     The  possession  of  the  coun- 

strife:  froni  go^^ji  ^f  ^i,aj  \\^^q  would  give  us  all  the  practical  advantages  we  should 
or  AViU  get  t^yg  f,.Q,y^  ii^Q  possession  up  to  54°  40'.  Besides,  Ifear  not  to  say,  it 
ipon  some  gr^iqrtjld  give  us  all  to  which  we  have  any  clear  title.  While  I  am  satisfied 
,  lies  the  reasij^  ^yg  htxve  the  better  title  to  that  portion  of  the  country  drained  by  the 
ittenlion  at  '7p)umbia  river,  I  am  equally  satisfied  that  England  has  the  better  title  to 
seems  to  be  (^  portion  drained  by  Frazer's  river;  and  the  49th  parallel  would  be  a» 
d  It  IS  presuiiijg|  mj  J  equal  a  division  between  these  respective  sections  of  country  as 

the  people,  j^ld  be  (jruwn  by  a  straight  line.  Such  a  division  would  give  to  each 
his  whole  O^ty  their  just  proporiion,  according  to  their  respective  titles;  and  this  is  the 
ig  more  thaiij^  jo  which  the  parties  ought  to  come,  and  must  come,  at  last,  if  they  will 
:e  we  have  nia|}e  (be  dispute  between  themselves,  i  doubt  not  the  earnest  desire  of 
nent  or  indiffB  B^tish  Government,  for  an  early  ar.d  amicable  settlement  of  this  ques- 

testsof  politim.  auj^  jf  tj,m  disposition  be  met  by  a  corresponding  spirit  on  the  part  of 
f  Oregon  is  t^  Government,  it  may  be  settled  upon  a  iust  and  equitable  basis.     I 


lye,  a  ''Brit^qiyld  rejoice,  even,  that  the  present  Administration  should  reap  the  reward 
J  is  the  braV|^ll  i\^q  honor  which  would  belong  to  such  an  adjustment  of  this  ancient 
Ejiise  to  act  i<^troversy.     The  event  would  everywhere  be  haij'^d  as  the  harbinger  and 

le  promise  of  peace, 
efore  the  Hoi  Jt  is  the  desire  and  the  policy  of  the  people  of  this  Government  to  main- 
edient  it  im^  peace  with  all  nations.  They  do  not  desire  war.  They  do  not  be- 
have nolhingi^ye  diere  is  any  occasion  for  war;  and,  above  all,  they  deprecate  that  folly 
itely  belongs  n(l  foolhardiness  which  would  inculcate  a  spirit  of  war  in  the  public  mindj 
e  is  not  coiiyTyeh  would  ''prepare  the  hearts  of  the  people  for  war."  The  sentiment 
power,  if  I  "ymore  worthy  of  a  ptist  and  a  barbarous  age,  than  of  this  enlightened  re- 
f  the  Execut^ic.  I  will  not  stop  t^  expatiate  upon  the  evils  and  the  horrors  of  war,. 
re  been  contci^ever  inviting  a  (heme  for  declamation,  nor  to  speak  of  its  influences  up- 
lired,  in  ordoiioiational  character  and  the  public  morals.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  the 
dienever,  in  j^ijt  of  war  is,  in  its  very  nature,  hostile  to  the  spirit  of  Republican  liberty. 

of  the  convttiB  a  spirit  which  but  too  often  degenerates  into  an  unbridled  hist  for 
•lood,  and  rapine,  and  plunder.  We  have  read  in  vain  the  history  of  other 
of  national  cl^ons,  if  we  have  not  learned  that  it  was  a  kindred  spirit  which  blotted 
d ,  when  con^,||of  being  the  republics  of  "olden  time;"  which  have  slept  in  the  tomb  of 
F'or  this  reasi|Jnt  these  two  thousand  vears,  and  ''the  morning  of  whose  jesurrection  has 
ittempt  was  e^ii^yet  dawned  upon  the, world;"  that  it  was  a  kindred  spirit  which  filled 
h  the  action  y^  rapine  and  blood  the  modern  republics  of  Venice  and  Florence.     The 

would  be  oiga^ings  of  history  have  been  in  vain  to  us,  if  we  have  not  learned  that  it 
id  ional,  or  payola  kindred  spirit  which  infuriated  to  its  blankest  deeds  of  atrocity  the 
^ligations  as  ncobin  factions,  and  the  sans-culottes  democracy  of  revolutionary  France;. 
I  appreciate 


14 


ises  of 
tes,  I 
se  wh( 
r  irieii 
te  whi 
(leral  I 
-,  whos 
eneiir' 


ickward 
y  love 
1  and  ( 
ose  daj 


and  which  built  up,  upon  the  fall  of  liberty  there ,  that  imperial  and  militaifte  west, 
despotism,  before  whose  colossal  power  the  world  itself  stood  aghast;  tliatof  amonc 
was  a  kindred  spirit  which  tore  in  sunder  the  later  republics  of  South  Ani|||ey  will 
ica,  and  struck  down  to  the  dust  the  flag  of  liberty  which  had  been  renrfj^triotic. 
from  the  summit  of  her  Andes.     Let  this  spirit  become  the  predomin;'  While 
spirit  of  our  countrymen,  and  it  needs  not  the  ken  of  prophetic  vision  to,] 
monish  us  that  this  young  republic  has  already  reached  the  years  of  its 
dine.     Let  this  spirit  prevail  here ,  and  I  stand  upon  the  authority  of  ti 
"world's  history,  and  proclaim  to  the  American  people  that  their  destiny] 
foreshadowed  in  the  fate  of  those  other  republics  that  have  fallen  before 

The  spirit  of  war,  thanks  to  God,  has  slumbered  upon  the  earth  for 
last  quarter  of  a  centuiy.  Glutted  with  the  spoils,  and  exhausted  by 
ravages  of  a  thousand  years,  it  halted  in  its  march  of  death,  and  reposed  fi 
its  work  of  desolation ,  on  that  dread  night  when  the  sun  went  down  in  bloM^d  whos 
on  the  field  of  Waterloo.  Heaven  grant  that  the  slumbering  giant  be  iiiilisurpass 
disturbed  in  liis  repose  for  other  ages  to  come.  The  world  has  had  time(K«ird  thai 
take  breath.  The  spirit  of  Peace— a  peerless,  and  godlike  form — rose  ere^ijitriotism 
and  with  steady  and  triumphant  step  advancing  over  the  earth,  has  d 
pensed,  with  an  abui  dant  hand,  blessings  and  honor,  and  glory  and  hnpj 
ness,  to  the  nations.  In  what  age  or  centuiy  of  the  woild  have  the  priii| 
pies  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  (he  arts  and  sciences,  civilization  on 
Christianity;  all  that  elevates,  and  all  that  adorns,  and  all  that  ennobles  aiJipjr  spiriii 
dignifies  the  character  and  condition  of  man ,  made  such  advances  as  witlihifc  contes 
the  last  thirty  years?  which  may  be  truly  denominated  the  age  of  peaijv||o  inhei 
It  has  been  an  age  of  progress.  It  has  been  an  age  of  glorious  achievl?niciJ(|iroga,  w 
of  intellectual  and  moral  triumph,  such  as  the  world  has  never  before  setvUl  be  thi 

f'ir,  I  cannot  longer  dwell  upon  this  theme.     It  is,  indeed,  a  rich  ai'ace  of  w 
exhausdess  and  sublime  theme,  worthy  of  the  contemplation,  not  of  tiestify  to  t 
poet  and  the  orator  only,  but  of  the  civilian  and  statesman,  of  the  philaiot  fear; 
thropist  and  patriot.  vhich  kn 

Mr.  Chairman,!  know  that  war  is  sometimes  necessary — sometimes  iimont,  ani 
voidable.     It  furnishes  but  a  inelancholy  evidence  of  the  depiavity  of  mOur  fath 
that  war  is  ever  justifiable.     The  fearful  alternative  of  war  may  be  forrciiidred  w 
upon  us,  either  by  ill-advised  counsels  at  home,  or  by  aggression  and  wroiltinker  t 
from  abroad.     If  the  long  peace  we  have  enjoyed  is  to  be  interrupted ,  viQew  me 
shall  do  well  to  see  to  it  that  there  be  no  occasion  for  laying  the  provocati«r||ose  mi: 
to  our  charge.     Far  better  that  aggression  and  piovocation  come  from  ivalls  of  1 
other  side.    Let  us,  if  possible,  in  the  judgment  of  the  world  be  in  the  riglleep  and 
and  our  adversary  in  the  wrong.     In  such  a  contest  the  victory  will  be  lu  people  v 
Avon  in  the  outset.     I  would  yield  much  to  the  spirit  of  peace  and  harmoii   I  trust, 
and  if  the  sword  must  be  drawn,  let  it  be  in  a  just  and  necessary  war;  n  alludin< 
it  be  in  oefence  of  the  invaded  rijjhts  and  honor  of  the  countrv.   And  whatinff  the 
that  crisis  comes,  if  come  it  must,  it  will  be  met  by  the  American  peoiiars  ago  i 
with  one  voice  and  with  one  heart.     If  war  be  brought  upon  us  by  the  I'^Vff.  Chii 
and  reckless  counsels  of  those  whom  tlie  people  have  placed  in  the  higliftljr  to  that 
seats  of  power,  while  they  will  be  held  to  a  fearful  account  before  the  Jiiii  own  b 
preme  appellate  tribunal  of  public  sentiment,  our  fciilismanic  watchword  \v>  tJie  rebi 
still  be — ^"  our  country,  our  whole  country,  and  nothing  but  our  countn  lat  Verm 

Something  has  been  said,  in  the  progress  of  this  debate,  of  the  chivalrv.||  misfor 
the  south :  something  has  been  said  of  the  valor  of  the  west.  I  choose  ratlijji  but  on 
to  say,  of  all  the  people  of  this  nation — whether  they  reside  in  the  east  fp  or  rep 


I 


al  and  milita(le  west,  whether  their  lot  be  cast  upon  the  sunny  savannas  of  the  south, 
aghast;  ihat(^  among  the  "old  gray  mountains"  of  the  north — that,  in  such  a  crisis, 
f  South  Aniliey  will  all  be  chivalrous  and  brave,  that  they  will  all  be  generous  and 
lad  been  renrAtriolic. 

e  predomin;'  While  other  gentlemen  have  been  so  eloquent  in  the  vindication  and 
tic  vision  to.pipaises  of  their  own  constituents,  and  the  people  of  their  own  sections  and 
years  of  its  (States,  I  trust  I  may  be  pardoned  the  indulgence  of  a  passing  reference  to 
uthority  of  impse  whom  I  have  the  honor,  in  part,  to  represent  here.  I  a.ii  one  of  but 
Lheir  destinvjur  members  upon  this  floor,  from  a  small  unpretending  border  State;  a 
dlen  before  i^ate  which,  in  some  respects,  occupies  but  a  subordinate  position  in  the 
deral  Union;  a  State,  nevertheless,  which  holds  within  its  borders  a  peo- 
,  whose  habits  of  industry,  whose  general  intelligence,  whose  indomita- 
energy  of  character,  whose  devotion  to  the  Union  and  the  constitution, 
d  whose  attachment  to  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  are 
surpassed  by  those  of  any  other  State  or  nation.     They  may  be  less  for- 


e  earth  for 
hausted  by  i| 
»d  reposed  frd 
down  in  bloi 
Iff  ffiant  be 


iiu 


or  m  vauuimg  their  own 
nd  will  never  be  deaf  nor 


las  had  time^rord  than  others  in  sounding  their  own  praises,  or  in  vaunting 
rm — rose  eropitriotism ,  yet  the  sons  of  the  American  Switzerl 

sarth,  has  dijickvvard  to  their  country's  call  in  any  and  evei/ emergency.  Much  as 
lory  and  hn]ij,piiey  love  the  peace  and  quiet  of  their  mountain  homes,  when  the  day  of 
lave  the  priii;Jftil  and  of  conflict  shall  come,  I  pledge  you,  upon  the  authority  of  one 
:ivilizalion  ai«/|iose  days  have  all  been  passed  among  them,  and  who  knows  full  well 
it  ennobles  aijgcir  spirit  and  their  valor,  that  they  will  be  there,  the  first  and  foremost  in 
ances  as  witlihe  contest,  with  "  their  backs  to  the  field,  and  their  feet  to  the  foe."   They 

age  of  peai«r|lo  inherit  the  blood  and  the  spirit  of  the  heroes  of  Bennington  and  Ticon- 
s  achieviymeiJllroga,  will  be  there.  Other  Aliens,  and  Starkes,  and  Lees,  and  Warners, 
,er  before  setvill  be  there,  to  cheer  and  to  lead  her  gallant  sons  to  the  rescue;  and  in  the 
ed,  a  rich  cii'ace  of  tianger  and  of  death,  "  upon  the  green  graves  of  their  sires,"  will 
ion,  not  of  liestify  to  the  world  how  much  there  yet  remains  of  that  daring  that  knows 

of  the  philaiot  fear;  of  that  patriotism  that  knows  not  section  or  party;  of  that  spirit 

vhich  knows  no  servitude,  and  submits  to  no  wrong.     The  people  of  Ver- 

sometimes  iiinont,  and  I  am  proud  to  say  it,  are  the  descendants  of  the  pilgrim  stock. 

iiavily  of  nKi)ur  fathers  sleep  upon  many  a  battle-field  of  the  revolution.     We  chim 

may  be  fondndred  with  those  who  fought  and  fell  at  Concord,  and  Licxington,  and 
sion  and  wroJtinker  Hill.  And  if  my  honorable  friends  here  from  Massachusetts  will 
interrupted ,  \iltew  me  to  assert  a  participation  of  the  honor,  we  claim  kindred  with  those 
the  provocativhose  mighty  voices  first  awoke  the  echoes  of  freedom  within  the  ancient 
come  from  ivails  of  Faneuil  Hall;  with  those  who  bore  no  subordinate  part  in  laying 
be  in  the  riglle«p  and  strong  the  foundations  of  this  Republic.  Ask  me  not  where  such 
ory  will  be  lu  ptople  will  he  found  in  the  day  of  their  country's  need. 
!and  harmoii  I  trust,  Mr.  '..  ..irman,  that  I  have  an  ample  apology  for  this  digression, 
essary  war;  n  alluding  to  my  native  State,  and  briefly,  though  it  be  but  feebly,  vindi- 
ry.  And  whaling  the  character  of  her  people,  in  the  attempt  which  was  made  some 
merican  peo]ws  ago  lo  cast  a  sneer — an  aspersion — upon  her,  by  one  of  her  own  sons 

us  by  the  rajpr.  Chipman,  of  Michigan,)  upon  this  floor.  I  have  only  to  say,  in  re- 
1  in  the  higliti^jr  to  that  attempt,  that  he  who  has  the  taste  and  the  heart  to  iilegitimatize 
L  before  the  jiiiown  birth,  so  far  as  to  repudiate  his  parentage,  commends  himself  less 
watchword  \v>  fee  rebuke  than  to  the  commisseration  of  his  friends.  And  while  I  trust 
,  our  country  iiit  Vermont  has  but  o?ie  son  who  would  make  it  a  virtue  to  publicly  avow 
fthe  chivahyiii misfortune  to  him  that  he  was  born  upon  her  soil;  I  am  quite  sure  she 

I  choose  ratlijBbut  one  son  who  could  utter  the  unnatural  sentiment  without  moitifica- 
e  in  the  east  JB  or  reproach  to  her.  , 


m 

Mr  Chairman,  I  trust  I  am  not  wanting  in  respect  for  the  opinions  c 
those  who  differ  with  me  in  regard  to  the  probable  results  of  giving  on  ur 
conditional  noiice  for  the  abrogation  of  the  joint  convention, and  of  assertin 
an  exclusive  claim,  and  of  exercising  an  exclusive  sovereignty  over  iL 
whole  of  the  Oregon  territory.     With  the  most  profound  deference  to  tl 
opinions  of  the  illusuious  gentleman  from  Massacliusetts,  (Mr.  Adams,) 
whose  agency  and  far  reaching  sagacity  the  country  is  so  largely  indebte 
for  the  rights  and  claims  there  which  we  are  now  contending  for  ;  and  wii 
all  deference  to  the  opinions  of  others,  who  express  so  much  confidence  ili, 
these  measures  will  not  lead  to  hostilities,  I  am  utterly  unable  to  bring  it 
own  mind  to  that  conclusion.     While  I  will  go  as  far  as  these,  or  any  otii 
gentlemen,  in  any  and  every  act  which  may  be  necessary  to  maintain  il 
true  dignity  and  the  true  honor  of  the  country,  I  would,  for  this  very  re 
son,  try  every  just  and  fair  expedient  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  country 

Mr.  Foot's  remarks  were  arrested  at  this  point  by  the  expiration  of  I 
hour. 


.1' 

% 


Note. — This  speech  was  delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives  t 
day  before  the  recent  correspondence  between  the  two  Governments,  touc 
ing  the  subject  of  Oregon,  was  communicated  to  the  House  by  the  Pre 
dent. 


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